Catholic Church

Bishop says prison abuse brings shame on America

May 15, 2004|By From Tribune news services.

The head of an international policy committee for U.S. Roman Catholic bishops said Friday that the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers raised concerns about the "moral risks" in responding to terrorism.

Bishop John Ricard, the panel's chairman, said in a statement that the Sept. 11 attacks should not exempt the U.S. from its "moral obligation to uphold the basic rights even of our worst enemies.

"The gravity of the threats we face tempts us to tolerate an ends-justify-the-means morality," he said.

Ricard, leader of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, Fla., also said that the crisis has "brought shame upon our nation" and said it would undermine efforts to safeguard the world from terrorism.

Ricard then noted that the beheading of civilian Nicholas Berg "surpassed" the cruelty evident in the photos of U.S. soldiers humiliating and abusing Iraqis.

Pope John Paul II opposed the war on Iraq and urged restraint in the global response to terrorism. And since the crisis over prisoner abuse erupted, Vatican officials repeatedly have condemned mistreatment of the Iraqi inmates.

President Bush is to meet with the pope at the Vatican on June 4 and prisoner abuse almost certainly will be discussed. The president will be in Europe for the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.

The White House asked for an audience with John Paul, according to the National Catholic Reporter, which noted that it is somewhat unusual for the pope to visit with presidents and prime ministers during re-election campaigns.

"On the other hand," said the Reporter, citing Vatican sources, "it's only June."

The Reporter added: "The most fundamental reason the pope wanted to see Bush, however, is that they have things to talk about. In recent days, Vatican officials have described the impact of the Iraqi prisoner abuse in strong terms."